The Homewood City Council recently approved two important agreements in regards to the fire department, the city said in a report posted on its Web site.
The first was an agreement with the city of Mountain Brook for the sharing of fire equipment. This will allow for each jurisdiction to use each other’s equipment and staff when needed. This agreement serves as a vital safety net if equipment fails catastrophically due to accidents or total losses. And while Homewood is insured, fire trucks are not only incredibly expensive but also take 24-30 months to arrive.
With this in place, the Homewood Fire Department (HFD) can use other municipality’s reserve apparatus in emergencies, ensuring to maintain ISO credit for reserves. There’s no end date to this contract, and the city already has a similar, effective agreement with Vestavia Hills. This partnership is essential for operational readiness and community safety.
In a pivotal step in tackling the paramedic shortage, Homewood also approved a request for the mayor to sign an agreement with the Regional Training Institute for clinical rotations with HFD.
Why does this matter to you? The Regional Training Institute, located in Fultondale, Alabama, was formed to help address the lack of paramedics in the area. They focus on EMT training from basic level to paramedic. They offer a faster program at a smaller cost for students. This agreement will allow the Homewood Fire Department to host paramedic students on engines for training. This is a great recruiting tool for future hires as well as a great benefit for employees that are in paramedic school.
HFD ensures each fire engine is staffed with at least two paramedics daily, despite recent challenges in recruiting and retaining them. The training program accelerates employees through the paramedic course, keeping service levels high for Homewood citizens. This no-cost contract is crucial, offering significant benefits to the community. Fire trucks are equipped with advanced cardiac life-saving equipment, and having well-trained personnel can literally mean the difference between life and death for residents. This commitment reflects Homewood’s dedication to providing top-notch emergency care and upholding the safety of its citizens.
